Think Global, Act Local. A Green Vision for West Lothian. A Green West Lothian for Everyone. Our vision for a fairer, greener West Lothian Taking Local Climate Action We know that tackling the climate emergency needs real leadership, ambition and action at a local level. This will require integrating climate adaptation and mitigation into all aspects of our life - not as an afterthought.  Green Councillors will ensure that ambitious targets and plans are in place to become net-zero, and, crucially, that action is taken in a way that considers the needs of all of society.  Green Councillors will: Take leadership on water pollution and flooding in West Lothian by using nature-based solutions to manage flooding, erosion, urban drainage and pollution wherever possible and invest in the expertise needed to do this. Introduce a Local Nature Network in Linlithgow and support other plans around West Lothian to maximise natural carbon capture and become nature-rich with wildflower meadows and verges tree planting and wetlands all creating places for nature within the town. Introduce a zero-waste plan by 2025 and take firm action on littering and fly-tipping by increasing the number of public bins in our town centres. Call for Lothian Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuels and the arms trade, and ensure a climate assessment of council procurement and any public funding of arms length organisations. Ensure West Lothian Council set ambitious targets for achieving net-zero and develop detailed, robust and integrated plans for achieving this. Creating Communities For Everyone Councils can help build our communities and create the places and neighbourhoods where we live. Green Councillors want them to be safe, green and attractive places. Green Councillors will help to connect people with a thriving local economy based on what’s good for people not just profit. Green Councillors will: Support community-led development and place plans, to revitalise our towns and high streets as well as empower local people to have a say in the future of their local area. Increase the use of participatory budgeting, giving communities active involvement in local budget decisions. Repurpose road spaces and support the creation of low traffic neighbourhoods, so that wheeling, walking and cycling are prioritised and allow the creation of more safe, attractive streets. Support community buy-outs and assistance with setting up cooperatives and other social enterprises through the public procurement and access to publicly-owned property. Ensure local people have a voice on planning matters and support responsible developments that clearly meet housing needs and invest in the infrastructure for the town to thrive. Better Public Transport Being able to travel broadens our opportunities. Scottish Greens want to improve our public transport options, making it possible for everyone to access the services and places they need, while reducing car use. This will require both new infrastructure and new models for ownership, management and integration of transport services. Green Councillors will: Connect communities with better bus services. Routes, fares, shelters and information can all help attract passengers. We will explore different methods of delivering better buses (e.g. community buses) and push for service integration with train timetables. Support the rollout of low-carbon buses and development of a charging point network for electric cars. Make public transport a practical alternative to car use, by improving bus services, protecting existing and proposed railway services, integrating ticketing and brining bus services in public or social ownership. Rethink the approach to street design and development planning, making walking, wheeling and cycling easier, safer and more efficient, and reducing demand for cars and parking in our towns. Green Votes Deliver For West Lothian The Scottish Greens are already taking action to make West Lothian a fairer, greener place. At last years Scottish Parliamentary elections we elected a record number of Green MSPs who have been delivering for all areas of Scotland. Since last May our Green MSPs have secured: Free bus travel for everyone under 22, benefiting over 47,000 young people in West Lothian. Funding for an extra 118 teachers in West Lothian, a record level of new investment in teachers since 2007. Doubled the Scottish Child Payment to £20 a week, and secured a further increase by the end of the year. A £4 Million boost to local recycling as part of the largest investment in recycling for a generation. And so much more… West Lothian has been represented by Green MSPs since 1999 and since then they have worked hard to represent the interests and views of the people in our communities. Greens can make a difference, and this May we are asking you to vote to elect West Lothian’s first Green councillors. Meet Your Green Candidates For the first time the Scottish Greens are standing candidates in all nine wards of West Lothian Council. Pamela Barnes - Linlithgow Cam Wright - Uphall, Broxburn & Winchburgh Mark Wilkinson - Livingston North Cameron Glasgow - Livingston South Neal Drummond - East Livingston & East Calder Neil Barnes - Fauldhouse & the Breich Valley Carole Racionzer - Whitburn & Blackburn Siobhan Flannigan - Bathgate Sophie Brodie - Armadale & Blackridge By electing West Lothian’s first Green Councillors in you can change how your Council works.  Electing a Green Councillors is the best way to make your Council supports you and your community to create a better place in a better world.  We have transferred power through citizen-led participatory budgeting and we can be relied upon to take the side of communities against inappropriate developments.  Find out more about your local candidate: https://www.edinburghgreens.org.uk/election/west-lothian-2022/ Help Elect Greens in West Lothian Join the Scottish Greens: www.greens.scot/join Volunteer in West Lothian: https://bit.ly/3LBcSbe Get in touch: westlothian@scottishgreens.org.uk Follow us on Social Media: Facebook - /WestLothianSGP Instagram - @WestLothianSGP Twitter - @WestLothianSGP On May 5th, Vote Scottish Greens Number 1.